Mid-mountain Jingming Temple.
Xu Guang looked at the mess on the ground, the already desolate and eerie temple, with bodies lying all around. Judging by their attire, they were all from the Green Forest.
It seems Song Di's target is more formidable than anticipated.
This place has long been deserted; it's unclear if they've all gone to hunt down Wei Shuangnian or if they're all dead.
Xu Guang had seen numerous corpses both during his time as a conscripted soldier and while fleeing famines, so he didn't feel any fear.
Only some of the bodies had such gruesome appearances, which made him feel a bit nauseated.
Xu Guang was secretly shaken, then focused his gaze on the sixteen large pits on the open ground, the yellow mud stained with blood, carrying a chilling sense of eeriness.
What on earth are these things?
He was a materialist by upbringing, but the strange scene before him made him feel an involuntary chill.
But since he was here.
With General Wei following behind him, Xu Guang mustered some courage.
He quietly walked into the Taoist temple, the remnant walls and ruins, desolate and dilapidated, the chaotic scene gave him a headache; searching for treasure in such disorder was difficult.
But suddenly, he thought of something.
Elephants in his previous life were known for their listening ability, their feet able to hear subtle sounds on the ground.
This place, reeking of blood, was also a haven for snakes and insects.
If he were Wei Shuangnian, the place where he hid treasures would certainly be accompanied by enough insect-repelling powder.
"General Wei, see if you can find places without snakes or insects!"
Under Xu Guang's meticulous training, General Wei's perception and strength both surpassed ordinary giant elephants.
Soon, General Wei pointed Xu Guang in a direction.
A moment later, Xu Guang looked at the wooden box in front of him, smelling the faint pungent smell emanating from it, feeling excited.
Unexpectedly, he would become the ultimate winner.
With a gentle movement of General Wei's tusks, the wooden box flew open.
Inside, there weren't many things: two booklets, a Daoist robe, and several pounds of gold!
Xu Guang didn't have time to look closely at the contents of the booklets; he quickly mounted General Wei, signaling him to descend the mountain.
...
On the other side of the mountain path, flames soared to the sky.
Tie Kuang stood in front of Song Di, his expression solemn, with a hint of worry.
"He got away..."
Song Di's face was filled with reluctance; this time he had luckily gotten information about Wei Shuangnian and had made all the plans, but unexpectedly, it all came to nothing.
Even though only at the level of Eighth Grade Great Cultivation, with the help of the Celestial Register, his tactics were so bizarrely varied.
Along with the White Crane Sect's lightweight body technique, even in the face of Tie Kuang.
Wei Shuangnian managed to escape with injuries.
Song Di thought of Wei Shuangnian's earlier feigned move, which forced him to step aside, leading to the current situation...
"Uncle, this time it's my fault, I underestimated Wei Shuangnian..."
Song Di stood in front of Tie Kuang, a bit at a loss.
Tie Kuang slightly shook his head, pinching Song Di's shoulder.
"Man plans, God laughs. Everything is destined."
Seeing Song Di still looking gloomy, he paused and spoke.
"You have great talent. At only nineteen, you're already at the level of Eighth Grade Great Cultivation. Once you break through to Seventh Grade, you might have the qualification to compete for the Song Clan's heir."
Song Di's face turned gloomy, thinking of his several blood brothers and their maternal families, feeling heavy-hearted.
Even though Tie Kuang was his maternal uncle, he had significant influence in Qingshuo County. However, in Songjiang Prefecture, compared to his blood brothers, he was nothing.
"Uncle knows you have ambitious goals. I'll help you begin by becoming the largest power in Qingshuo County."
Song Di suppressed the heaviness in his heart, recalling the plans he had made with Tie Kuang, his eyes reignited with brightness.
"Has it already started?"
Tie Kuang nodded.
"Whatever happens here, whether successful or not, cannot reach the ears of those in Qingshuo County. However, you must return to the Song Clan soon."
Song Di nodded, looking at Tie Kuang with some affection in his eyes.
...
"These are the garments of the Iron Armor Sect? How could there be people from the Iron Armor Sect here? Could it be that the Iron Armor Sect are the ones Song Di arranged in another direction?"
Xu Guang sat on the elephant's back, putting down the newly acquired lightweight skill 'White Crane Ladder Cloud Soaring' and breathing technique 'Immortal Crane Longevity Skill,' looking surprised at the three corpses on the ground.
He secretly clicked his tongue, marveling at how useful the identity of the gate valve was. In a place like Qingshuo County, it truly could call the wind and summon the rain.
Not only did he enlist the people from the Green Forest, but he also brought in the Iron Armor Sect.
Truly omnipotent.
Xu Guang secretly praised but didn't linger on it, only directing General Wei to head towards Qingshuo County. He wondered whether he could still save Zhu Fu's family after the delay.
...
Zhu Mansion.
On the somewhat desolate stone plaza.
Several main figures of the Zhu Family, as well as key people from various estates and shops, were present, with more people arriving continuously.
Nearly a hundred people gathered, a sea of black heads, all waiting for the outcome of the negotiations in the room.
Zhu Fu stood prominently in the Zhu Family's main lineage, his expression indifferent, staring fiercely at the opposite side.
Across from him, there stood two figures, one with the physique of a giant rat named Zhu Huai, the other a middle-aged man around forty.
Zhu Fu was wounded, his arms locked back by two strong men, spikes pierced through his shoulders.
The immense strength of an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist was utterly useless at this moment.
"Third Master Wei! I don't understand why you got involved. Do you intend to break the hard-earned peace in Qingshuo County?"
Zhu Fu's face was filled with grief and indignation.
Third Master Wei's expression was indifferent.
But Zhu Huai was furious, slapping the stone slab in front of him.
"Zhu Fu, will you give the order or not! If I didn't care about the Zhu Family's strength being compromised, I wouldn't bother with this nonsense!"
Zhu Fu sneered, his eyes cold as he looked at his second brother.
They were cousins, close blood relatives, yet it had come to this.
"Landlord Zhu, why persist? You're an old man now. At your age, it's time to relinquish power and enjoy your years, isn't it?"
Third Master Wei spoke ambiguously, pointing outside.
"The sun's rising; you always treat the servants well. Don't keep everyone waiting too long."
Zhu Fu just sneered.
The sun gradually rose higher.
Zhu Huai and Third Master Wei grew increasingly impatient.
Zhu Huai stood up, "Brother, are you waiting for my two nephews?"
"To be frank, the Iron Armor Sect won't intervene!"
Zhu Huai spoke with newfound sincerity, "Brother, you've aged, and in these chaotic times, you're too soft-natured. Earlier, your punches weren't as fast or as fierce as before; I am the one most suitable to steer the Zhu Family!"
Zhu Fu shut his eyes tightly, his expression sorrowful.
He thought of many things at once.
As soon as Zhu Huai and the Wei Family's people started in-fighting and came knocking on the door, Zhu Cheng and Zhenzhen just took General Wei and left. Was that really a coincidence?
Perhaps he really had grown old, and Zhu Huai's ruthlessness might make him a better candidate to be the Zhu Family patriarch.
"Third Master Wei! I…"
Zhu Fu closed his eyes hard, his gaze filled with sorrow.
...
Iron Armor Sect Headquarters.
The sound of hooves echoed through the street, as Zhu Zhenzhen, looking heroic, dismounted her horse, just less composed than usual.
"Senior Sister Zhu, the Sect Leader really isn't here."
Zhu Zhenzhen said nothing, just bowed her head and rushed inside.
The Zhu Family taught well, all their children were well-mannered. Zhu Zhenzhen said nothing; she couldn't bear the thought of life without Zhu Fu and just wanted to implore the Sect Leader to come save Zhu Fu.
"Senior Sister Zhu, the Sect Leader is really not in."
Zhu Zhenzhen said nothing, just walked out of the small courtyard where the Sect Leader lived, looking lost.
Even though Zhu Zhenzhen knelt down, neither Elder Hei nor Elder Su, who were present as guardians of the Iron Armor Sect, showed any sign of intervening.
...
"""